s. "I can see that I offend you by saying so,--but if you
will think of it, I must be right. You were on your trial; and I as
your friend was bound to await the result,--with much confidence,
because I knew you; but with no conviction, because both you and I
are human and fallible. If the electors at Tankerville, or any great
proportion of them, express a belief that you are unfit to represent
them because of what has occurred, I shall be the last to recommend
you to keep your seat;--but I shall be surprised indeed if they
should do so. If there were a general election to-morrow, I should
regard your seat as one of the safest in England."

Both Mr. Low and Lord Chiltern were equally urgent with him to
return to his usual mode of life,--using different arguments for
their purpose. Lord Chiltern told him plainly that he was weak and
womanly,--or rather that he would be were he to continue to dread
the faces of his fellow-creatures. The Master of the Brake hounds
himself was a man less gifted than Phineas Finn, and therefore hardly
capable of understanding the exaggerated feelings of the man who had
recently been tried for his life. Lord Chiltern was affectionate,
tender-hearted, and true;--but there were no vacillating fibres in
his composition. The balance which regulated his conduct was firmly
set, and went well. The clock never stopped, and wanted but little
looking after. But the works were somewhat rough, and the seconds
were not scored. He had, however, been quite true to Phineas during
the dark time, and might now say what he pleased. "I am womanly,"
said Phineas. "I begin to feel it. But I can't alter my nature."

"I never was so much surprised in my life," said Lord Chiltern. "When
I used to look at you in the dock, by heaven I envied you your pluck
and strength."

"I was burning up the stock of coals, Chiltern."

"You'll come all right after a few weeks. You've been knocked out of
time;--that's the truth of it."

Mr. Low treated his patient with more indulgence; but he also was
surprised, and hardly understood the nature of the derangement of the
mechanism in the instrument which he was desirous of repairing. "I
should go abroad for a few months if I were you," said Mr. Low.

"I should stick at the first inn I got to," said Phineas. "I think I
am better here. By and bye I shall travel, I dare say,--all over the
world, as far as my money will last. But for the present I am only
fit to sit still."

Mrs. L